[IceHorses] Re: update on BALDUR / Join Up
--- In IceHorses@yahoogroups.com, "Karen Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >>> Classical training is now being done in Iceland. > > > I have never, ever seen any evidence of classical dressage in any > interpretation being done in Iceland.. Well Karen, that may be because you haven't looked. Allow me to make it easy: here is one of many links you will find if you do a quick search; http://www.klassisch-reiten.at/t1_islandpferde_sar_en.html This one is well-written and very interesting. Get a cup of tea or whatever and give it a fair read. Classical training does include the beginning levels of dressage. I did NOT say anyone was trying to seriously use an Icelandic for competitive dressage. Personally, I have an Andalusian I do dressage with. She's perfect for it. My Icelandic needed to build his muscles properly to straighten him and develop his body in a way he can do what Icelandic horses are bred to do easily. I don't think anyone is doing this sort of training on Icelandics with competition in mind, rather it is done as part of foundation training. FYI, this sort of foundation training works with ANY horse. Once they have their bodies straight, their balance useful and they are properly developed they can use it for tolting all day, western specialties, jumping or even dressage. The reason to do this form of training is all for the horse. It has made equally huge differences in my formerly heavy-footed Friesian and my Icelandic. It is physical therapy for horses. Most importantly, it works. One caveat: it only works if you are a balanced rider yourself. You don't have to be a great rider but a balanced seat is always best for the horse. Gail
[IceHorses] Re: Baldur has an Album
> How long did you have him? I rescued Baldur at full price last summer. He was afraid, confused, very underweight and needed everything most would think of as routine care done. His teeth, hooves, wormed, shots you name it. He was green to ride because he was confused. He is now sound, happy, healthy and engages people. He loves to be ridden and show you he can do it all. He stops on a dime and goes as happily. This is one of those horses that wants to read your mind just to hear you so Good Boy and pet his neck. Ok, I'll get off my soap box. I just love this little guy to pieces. I will find the perfect home for him very soon. Gail
[IceHorses] Baldur has an Album
I posted three photos in an album titled Baldur fra Alfasaga. The one with the goat on his back is from before his early training fiasco. It was a huge hint as to his true personality. We are shooting video today. I'll post a link when I have it on youtube and you can see this sweet boy. Gail
[IceHorses] Re: update on BALDUR / Join Up
> I don't know of anyone doing classical training with Icelandics. ... > Do you have any new pictures of Baldur? any video? Classical training is now being done in Iceland. All it is is the beginning of dressage training. Classical dressage (NOT the competition stuff) is designed to build the horses muscles in a way that will keep them sound. The first step is usually to straighten the horse. This is important in all breeds. It is crucial in Icelandics. Get them straight and balance becomes easy. Given a balanced rider, it becomes a simple matter of riding the horses in specific (simple) patterns. They start feeling great and love it. If you can put 20 minutes a day on them three to five times a week you will have a very fit, balanced horse fast. My horses (an Andalusian and a Friesian to go with the Icey) all come running when they see me wanting to be first. Make it fun and they will LOVE training. Sorry I didn't trim other posts. I had to log onto the club site to trim them. They don't show when I reply from the digest. Gail
[IceHorses] follow this link
I'm not certain if this has been discussed yet. There is a bill that needs commenting on in Washington. It seems we need to pass it to keep our horses welcome on trails on public land. We need to look into this. In the meantime, check this out: http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_2283.html Gail
[IceHorses] Re: Horse in need
--- In IceHorses@yahoogroups.com, "Karen Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Are you new to the list Yes, I'm on the Cascade list but not this one. I hoped with a braoder scope to find more help, more people like you and perhaps even the right home for Baldur. Do you know if he was ignored in the pasture for the first three years, before he was sold? I don't know what the initial training was. His name is Baldur fra Alfasaga and I can ask. The breeder recently retired and is moving to our area. A couple more questions - have you had his back really checked well for pain? Yes. I have an equine chiropractor with training in other soft tissue treatment work on him. He was so tight the first visit he kicked in pain at first and was like putty in the man's hands when he was finished. I also have an equine rolpher/energy worker seeing him on a routine basis. It may sound crazy but the results indicate progress. The second question: have you had him checked for ulcers? Gastrogard isn't cheap, but the good news is that a tube will > treat up to a 1400-pound horse. Thanks for the tip. I'll check into the Gastroguard. Whatever it costs isn't as big a problem as a sick horse. > > And, finally, what kind of saddle are you using on him? I was using my Giacomini Dressage saddles when they fit and had a Bob Marshall treeless enduance saddle that a fitter called perfect on him when he tossed me. I use Herm Sprenger snaffle bits with the toy in the middle and Baldur has a Stubben bridle that does fit. I took the caveson off. > These stories need to be discussed openly Thanks, Karen. I'll keep the list posted on our progress. Gail
[IceHorses] Horse in need
Last summer I went looking for an Icelandic horse for my husband. We found a beautiful (aren't they all) 10-year-old gelding advertised as perfect trained, bombproof, and old enough to have the sillies out. He seemed depressed and a bit skinny but that would be easy to fix. An Icelandic trainer was in town for the summer and she spent every day she had left (ten) working with us. Our boy hadn't been ridden for " a few months" and was soon trying to tolt around the arena. He didn't seem to match his advertisement so I dug into his background. It's sad. The story is absent malice except for the evil trainer full of neglect and a clearly one of a horse in need of help. While this horse proved to be NOT what I was looking for the idea of sending him back was out of the question. We would give him a better home and see if we could nurse him back to emotional and physical health. Here's the story. The breeder sold him at three to a family who adored him. When he was four they sent him out for 30 days and he returned with no trust in humans whatsoever. The trainer called him crazy. The owner put out an SOS and hired a TTouch person who later agreed to buy him. He went home to a hillside and the following year was sent out for a second year of training. That trainer said he froze when confused, but was fine. Things got away from his owner and eventually he put him up for sale. A woman spending the summer with the owners had found the horses underweight and neglected and done everything in her power to help get them back to health. We bought him three months after she arrived. My boy is making huge progress. His health was the easy part. I had a hoof trimmer take care of his hooves within hours of his arrival. His feet are good they'd simply been neglected for a long time. We had his teeth floated, cleaned him up, wormed him and I groomed him daily getting his old winter coat to finally come out at the end of August. We got his weight back up in an acceptable range and he had friends in the pasture. Life was looking up. He loved the attention. I worked on the ground with the horse while we were getting his health back. He was too weak to ride and was still nervous. He'd sweat and his heart would pound at the site of the arena so we took it slow. I rode him for short amounts of time, mostly at walk, often times with my husband walking next to us. By October the sweating and racing heart had slowed and I took him for trail rides down to a meadow where the grass was delicious. He did spook once when my husband's new horse spooked behind him but was able to stop himself. When the same thing happened a second time moments later he barely jumped. It was a different story in the arena. I hired the trainer at our boarding barn to help review classical basic training. There are four of us who ride him and he has dumped all but one of us in a panic. Mounting seems to hold some evil memories. Last week I mounted him and he was fine until I had trouble with a stirrup and reached down to adjust it. The boy panicked, spun around and took off leaving me on the ground with a broken pelvis. I'm blessed with a mind and touch to train animals. I trained my own service dog. My body is fragile and can't take abuse. I refuse to live in a cage but do need to stick to safer horses. My husband reasonably requested we find a better home for our Icelandic boy. I'm not the only person who loves horses and someone will get a treasure with this one. He is so close and I'd bet the farm he will bond with utter devotion to whoever gets his demons to leave. I love this horse enough to send him to a better home. Short of better, I can't part with him. He'd be easy to sell. He has a beautiful pedigree, is tall, loves kids and is absolute eye candy. His tolt is a sweet ride. He was a great horse when he was young and will be again. If any of you have suggestions training ideas, know people who might help, anything useful please contact me on list or off. Thank you and thank you again for any help you can provide. Gail Portland, Oregon
